The Community of Madrid, through the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Sport, has completed the restoration of the Fuente del Caño, one of the most significant symbols of Torrelodones. The mayor, Almudena Negro, accompanied by the Director General of Cultural Heritage, Bartolomé González, inaugurated the rehabilitated fountain after several months of work.
Almudena Negro highlighted that this intervention is the first integral restoration documented with scientific criteria of this monument throughout its history. The event was attended by council members, opposition representatives, and numerous residents.
The fountain, which displays the heraldic shield of the Duchy of the Infantado and the County of Real de Manzanares, is declared a Site of Cultural Interest. The project, supervised by the Conservation and Restoration Area, is part of the Plan for Historical Gardens and Fountains of the Community of Madrid and had a budget of 43,000 euros. The awarded company was Titanio Estudio, with a restoration team comprising Beatriz Burreros, Miriam Arboleya, and Marta Fernández.
The restoration work has addressed key issues such as damage from biological agents, wear from water, and inadequate past interventions like improper rejoining, waterproofing, and patching with cement mortars, bricks, and asphalt sheets.
The fountain's basin will maintain a constant water level through a recirculation system, with water exiting from new bronze spouts. While this water is not potable, a drinking fountain will be installed nearby.
The Fuente del Caño, also known as Fuente Nueva, dates back to 1591 and is one of the oldest monumental fountains in the Community of Madrid. It was built in the new district, next to the watering trough, during the reign of Philip II, to supply water to the municipality and the monarch himself during his travels.
Designed in the Herrerian style by Gaspar Rodríguez and executed by stonemason Juan de Vargas using local granite, the fountain resembles other monumental fountains in the area, such as the Fuente de San Sebastián in El Escorial, but is noted for its finer craftsmanship.
To preserve its historical legacy, the fountain has undergone recorded reforms in 1869, 1873, and 1925, as well as two relocations: in the 1960s and in July 1984, when it was moved to its current site along with benches and landscaping designed by painter Manuel López-Villaseñor.
